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Al Sears

Albert Omega Sears (February 21, 1910 – March 23, 1990) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and bandleader, sometimes credited as Big Al Sears.

Sears was born in Macomb, Illinois, United States. His first major gig came in 1928 when he replaced Johnny Hodges in Chick Webb's ensemble. Following this he played with Elmer Snowden (1931–32), then led his own groups between 1933 and 1941. In the early 1940s he was with Andy Kirk (1941–42) and Lionel Hampton (1943-44) before he became a member of Duke Ellington's Orchestra in 1944, replacing Ben Webster. He remained with Ellington until 1949, when first Jimmy Forrest and then Paul Gonsalves took over his chair. He played with Johnny Hodges in 1951–52 and recorded the tune "Castle Rock" with him; the tune became a hit but was released under Hodges's name.

Sears was in Alan Freed's band when Freed did live shows, being introduced as "Big Al Sears." He played as a studio musician on R&B albums in the 1950s and recorded two albums for Swingville in 1960. He also owned several record labels, including Arock, Serock, and Gator.

In 1990, he died in St. Albans, New York, at the age of 80.

Birth and Death Data: Born February 22, 1910 (Macomb), Died March 23, 1990 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1929 - 1957

Roles Represented in DAHR: tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone, saxophone

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor D4VB-0454 10-in. 12/1/1944 I'm beginning to see the light Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Joya Sherrill Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D4VB-0455 10-in. 12/1/1944 Don't you know I care (or don't you care to know) Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Al Hibbler Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D4VB-0456 10-in. 12/1/1944 I didn't know about you Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Joya Sherrill Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D5VB-0012 10-in. 1/4/1945 Carnegie blues Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D5VB-0014 10-in. 1/4/1945 The mood to be wooed Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Johnny Hodges Jazz/dance band, with saxophone solo instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D5VB-0015 10-in. 1/4/1945 (All of a sudden) my heart sings Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Joya Sherrill Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D5VB-0232 10-in. 4/26/1945 Kissing bug Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Joya Sherrill Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D5VB-0233 10-in. 5/1/1945 Everything but you Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Joya Sherrill Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D5VB-0234 10-in. 5/1/1945 (Otto make that) riff staccato Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Ray Nance Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D5VB-0262 10-in. 5/11/1945 Caravan Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D5VB-0265 10-in. 5/14/1945 In a sentimental mood Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D5VB-0274 10-in. 5/16/1945 Every hour on the hour (I fall in love with you) Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Al Hibbler Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D5VB-0518 10-in. 7/30/1945 Things ain't what they used to be Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D5VB-0662 10-in. 10/8/1945 Tell ya what I'm gonna do Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Joya Sherrill Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D5VB-0663 10-in. 10/8/1945 Come to baby, do! Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Joya Sherrill Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D5VB-0949 10-in. 11/26/1945 I'm just a lucky so-and-so Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Al Hibbler Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D5VB-0951 10-in. 11/26/1945 The wonder of you Duke Ellington Famous Orchestra ; Joya Sherrill Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D6VB-2093 10-in. 7/9/1946 Rockabye river Duke Ellington Orchestra ; Duke Ellington Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D6VB-2094 10-in. 7/9/1946 Suddenly it jumped Duke Ellington Orchestra ; Jimmy Hamilton ; Taft Jordan ; Oscar Pettiford Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D6VB-2095 10-in. 7/9/1946 Transblucency (a blue fog that you can almost see through) Duke Ellington Orchestra ; Duke Ellington Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D6VB-2096 10-in. 7/9/1946 Just squeeze me (but don't tease me) Duke Ellington Orchestra ; Duke Ellington Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D6VB-2113 10-in. 8/26/1946 Back home again in Indiana Duke Ellington Orchestra Piano solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D6VB-2114 10-in. 8/26/1946 Blue is the night Duke Ellington Orchestra Piano solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D6VB-2115 10-in. 8/26/1946 Lover man (Oh, where can you be?) Duke Ellington Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with piano and female vocal solo instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D6VB-2116 10-in. 8/26/1946 Just you, just me Duke Ellington Orchestra Piano solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D6VB-2117 10-in. 8/26/1946 Beale Street blues Duke Ellington Orchestra Piano solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D6VB-2126 10-in. 9/3/1946 My honey's lovin' arms Duke Ellington Orchestra ; Ray Nance Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor D6VB-2129 10-in. 9/3/1946 St. Louis blues Duke Ellington Orchestra ; Duke Ellington Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D6VB-2130 10-in. 9/3/1946 Swamp fire Duke Ellington Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor D6VB-2131 10-in. 9/3/1946 Royal garden blues Duke Ellington Orchestra ; Duke Ellington Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Chess U7372 10-in. 1947 My little brown book Al Hibbler instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Chess U7627 10-in. 1947 Fat and forty Harry Carney ; Jimmy Hamilton ; Al Hibbler instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Gennett 14718 10-in. 1/22/1929 Mandy Zach Whyte's Chocolate Beau Brummels Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone  
Gennett 14787 10-in. 2/11/1929 Shake it and break it Zach Whyte's Chocolate Beau Brummels Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone  
Gennett 14788 10-in. 2/11/1929 Hum all your troubles away Zach Whyte's Chocolate Beau Brummels Jazz/dance band, with vocal; without vocal instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone  
Gennett 14836 10-in. 2/26/1929 It's tight like that Zach Whyte's Chocolate Beau Brummels Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone  
Gennett 14837 10-in. 2/26/1929 West End blues Zach Whyte's Chocolate Beau Brummels Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone  
Gennett 16005 10-in. 12/19/1929 Good feelin' blues Zach Whyte's Chocolate Beau Brummels Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, baritone saxophone  
Gennett 16006 10-in. 12/19/1929 Wailin' blues Zach Whyte's Chocolate Beau Brummels Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, baritone saxophone  
Gennett 16007 10-in. 12/19/1929 When you're smiling Zach Whyte's Chocolate Beau Brummels Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, baritone saxophone  
Gennett 16008 10-in. 12/19/1929 Sophomore prom Zach Whyte's Chocolate Beau Brummels Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, baritone saxophone  
Decca 71050 10-in. 7/14/1942 Hey lawdy Mama Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 71051 10-in. 7/14/1942 Boogie woogie cocktail Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 71052 10-in. 7/14/1942 Ride on, ride on Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 71053 10-in. 7/14/1942 Mc Ghee special-2 Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 71239 10-in. 7/31/1942 Worried life blues Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 71240 10-in. 7/31/1942 Take it and git Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 71241 10-in. 7/31/1942 Hip hip hooray Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 71242 10-in. 7/31/1942 Unlucky blues Andy Kirk ; Twelve Clouds of Joy instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 71825 10-in. 3/2/1944 Loose wig Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 71826 10-in. 3/2/1944 Chop chop Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 71827 10-in. 3/2/1944 Flying home No.2 Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 71828 10-in. 3/2/1944 Hamp's boogie woogie Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 75610 12/19/1949 125th Street New York Al Sears ; The Sparrows instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 75611 12/19/1949 Shake hands Al Sears ; The Sparrows instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 75612 12/19/1949 Tan skin lad Al Sears ; The Sparrows instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 75613 12/19/1949 Brown baby Al Sears ; The Sparrows instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 87814 4/22/1955 Come and dance with me Al Sears and his Rock 'n' Rollers instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 87815 4/22/1955 come a-runnin' Al Sears and his Rock 'n' Rollers instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 87816 4/22/1955 Tom, Dick 'n Harry (Instrumental) Al Sears and his Rock 'n' Rollers instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 87817 4/22/1955 Tina's canteen (Instrumental) Al Sears and his Rock 'n' Rollers instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 89964 5/16/1956 Camel rock Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 89965 5/16/1956 Up and down Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 89966 5/16/1956 Take one Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 89967 5/16/1956 The grey bear Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 100343 7/27/1956 Homesick blues Eddie Fontaine instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 100344 7/27/1956 Into each life some rain must fall Eddie Fontaine instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 100345 7/27/1956 Cool it baby Eddie Fontaine instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 101657 2/14/1957 John Thompson Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 101658 2/14/1957 Sure Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 101659 2/14/1957 Swell Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 101660 2/14/1957 Easy rock Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 101666 2/15/1957 Sentimental journey Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 101667 2/15/1957 Stop, look and run Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 101668 2/15/1957 Twenty one Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 101669 2/15/1957 Sometimes I'm happy Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102267 4/15/1957 Swizzle time Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102268 4/15/1957 Late hours Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102269 4/15/1957 You for me Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102270 4/15/1957 Readin', writin' and rockin' Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102279 4/16/1957 Three bad men Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102280 4/16/1957 Gumbo rock Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102281 4/16/1957 Kissing rock Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102282 4/16/1957 Sweet potato pie Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102283 4/17/1957 The street Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102284 4/17/1957 Mr. Onion head Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102285 4/17/1957 Ease down Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102286 4/17/1957 The king's ring Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca N 2994 10-in. 1/2/1945 Midriff Duke Ellington Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Sears, Al," accessed November 21, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/109665.

Sears, Al. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/109665.

"Sears, Al." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 21 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/109665

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